The Growing Push for Fertility Education in High School Sex Education
For decades, sex education in American high schools has primarily focused on preventing unintended pregnancies, equipping students with knowledge about contraception and abstinence. However, a growing chorus of women’s health experts is advocating for a significant shift in the curriculum: the inclusion of comprehensive fertility education. This movement argues that students should learn not only how to avoid pregnancy but also how to understand their bodies, recognize the most fertile times of the month, and be aware of the various phases of the menstrual cycle.
Currently, thirty states and the District of Columbia mandate sex education in schools, but no law or state standard explicitly requires teaching about fertility. This gap in education, according to the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS), a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting sexual health and education, leaves many young people ill-prepared for future family planning.
Proponents of fertility education argue that as research increasingly highlights age as the most predictive factor for infertility, and as more Americans choose to delay parenthood, equipping students with knowledge about fertility will empower them to make informed decisions about their reproductive health. Understanding fertility from a young age, they believe, could also contribute to the early detection of disorders like endometriosis, a condition that can significantly impact fertility but often goes undiagnosed for years.
Robin Jensen, a professor of communication at the University of Utah specializing in health, science, sex, and gender, emphasizes the importance of setting the stage for understanding the body and its processes from a young age. By providing students with a comprehensive understanding of fertility, educators can empower them to make informed choices and proactively manage their reproductive health.
Endometriosis, a condition where cells from the uterine lining grow in other parts of the body, affects approximately 10% of women and typically begins when menstruation starts. However, diagnosis is often delayed until women are in their late twenties or early thirties. The symptoms of endometriosis, such as painful periods and heavy bleeding, can be easily dismissed or ignored, particularly by young women who lack a comprehensive understanding of the menstrual cycle.
Public health experts believe that a better understanding of the menstrual cycle stages can empower young women to recognize abnormal symptoms and seek medical attention promptly. Early diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis can significantly improve future family planning options. Emily Oster, a professor of economics at Brown University and author of "Expecting Better," underscores the importance of early awareness, stating that endometriosis often goes undiagnosed for a decade due to a lack of knowledge.
While California and Washington, D.C., have explicit laws mandating education on menstrual health, their curricula primarily focus on addressing stigmas, irregularities, hygiene, pain management, and menopause. Public health experts argue that these curricula should be expanded to encompass all aspects of the menstrual cycle, including ovulation signs and the luteal phase, the period when conception typically occurs.
Despite the lack of explicit curriculum mandates, fertility is sometimes addressed in sex education classes. A 2024 study comparing sex education curricula in Utah, which mandates an abstinence-based approach, and Colorado, which mandates a comprehensive approach, revealed that fertility is often discussed in the context of sexually transmitted diseases and substance use, highlighting their potential impact on fertility. Colorado schools also address fertility in the context of reproductive technologies like in-vitro fertilization (IVF).
Jensen, the lead author of the study, notes that abstinence-based states tend to provide less information about fertility and how to plan sexual activity in light of fertility goals. Opponents of teaching fertility in high school worry that it might indirectly encourage sexual activity or lead to misunderstandings about pregnancy likelihood.
Some also argue that teenagers are less likely to retain information about fertility because it is not immediately relevant to their lives. However, Oster counters this argument by pointing out that many subjects taught in school lack immediate relevance for students.
Jensen advocates for a comprehensive fertility education plan that includes information about the reproductive lifespan for both men and women, highlighting when fertility is at its peak and when it begins to decline. She also emphasizes the importance of discussing the typical age for first childbirth to help students contextualize their choices and explore options for those with fertility issues.
Ultimately, proponents of fertility education argue that it is not always a matter of choice but rather a matter of empowering individuals with scientific information about fertility and how it plays out in their lives. By understanding the complexities of fertility, individuals are more likely to achieve their desired family planning goals.
